NFL moving quickly to reverse halt on Elliott's 6-game ban

Schuyler Dixon, Ap Pro Football Writer

Updated 5:23 pm, Monday, September 11, 2017

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The National Football League has officially appealed a preliminary injunction granted to the NFL Players Association in regards to Dallas Cowboys All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension.

Media: SITime

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The NFL moved quickly Monday in hopes of reversing a federal judge's decision that has blocked the league's six-game suspension of star Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott over a domestic violence case in Ohio.

The league asked the judge who ruled in Elliott's favor to stop the preliminary injunction that cleared last year's NFL rushing leader to play while the case is in court. A notice of appeal was also filed with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The NFL's latest filings came about 12 hours after Elliott rushed for 104 yards in the Cowboys' 19-3 season-opening win over the New York Giants at home Sunday night.

Photo: Ron Jenkins, AP

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The National Football League has officially appealed a preliminary injunction granted to the NFL Players Association in regards to Dallas Cowboys All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension.

The National Football League has officially appealed a preliminary injunction granted to the NFL Players Association in regards to Dallas Cowboys All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott's six-game ... more

Photo: Ron Jenkins, AP

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The Dallas Cowboys have had a number of interesting characters in their storied history, and some have gained as much fame for their off-the-field antics as their play on the field.

The Dallas Cowboys have had a number of interesting characters in their storied history, and some have gained as much fame for their off-the-field antics as their play on the field.

Photo: 1993 AP

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1. Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson (1975-79)A Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys in 1977, Henderson dealt with substance abuse problem throughout his career. He routinely snorted liquid cocaine from an inhaler he hid in his pants during games. Henderson was arrested for smoking cocaine with two teenage girls in California in 1983. He pleaded no contest to the charges and served eight months in drug rehabilitation as well as 28 months in prison. less

1. Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson (1975-79)A Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys in 1977, Henderson dealt with substance abuse problem throughout his career. He routinely snorted liquid cocaine from an inhaler ... more

Photo: TOM LANKES, AP

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2. Rafael Septien (1978-86)An All-Pro kicker, Spetien was released by the Dallas Cowboys in 1987 after pleading guilty to indecency with a ten-year-old girl. He never played professional football again.

2. Rafael Septien (1978-86)An All-Pro kicker, Spetien was released by the Dallas Cowboys in 1987 after pleading guilty to indecency with a ten-year-old girl. He never played professional football again.

Photo: John Iacono, Getty Images

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3. Nate Newton (1986-98)A cornerstone of the Cowboys' dominant Super Bowl teams, a retired Newton was arrested with 213 pounds of marijuana from a van on a highway in 2001. Newton and two others were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for drug trafficking. less

3. Nate Newton (1986-98)A cornerstone of the Cowboys' dominant Super Bowl teams, a retired Newton was arrested with 213 pounds of marijuana from a van on a highway in 2001. Newton and two others were charged ... more

Photo: DAVID PHILLIP, AP

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4. Michael Irvin (1988-99)A notorious party hound, Irvin was arrested in 1996 on charges of cocaine possession. The NFL suspended Irvin for the first five games of the 1996 season. Irvin has been arrested twice since retirement. On July 4, 2007 he was accused of sexual assault while he was at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Charges were never filed, but a civil suit was filed against him in 2010. less

4. Michael Irvin (1988-99)A notorious party hound, Irvin was arrested in 1996 on charges of cocaine possession. The NFL suspended Irvin for the first five games of the 1996 season. Irvin has been arrested twice ... more

Photo: Douglas C. Pizac, Associated Press

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5. Charles Haley (1992-1996)One of the most disruptive defensive presences of all time, Haley was perhaps even more menacing in the locker room. Haley would graphically talk about teammates wives and girlfriends while masturbating on the floor or in team meetings, according to his autobiography, "Out of Control." It got to the point where Haley had to be told to stop touching himself during film sessions with the other defensive linemen. less

5. Charles Haley (1992-1996)One of the most disruptive defensive presences of all time, Haley was perhaps even more menacing in the locker room. Haley would graphically talk about teammates wives and ... more

Photo: Brandon Wade, FRE / Associated Press

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6. Dimitrius Underwood (2000-2001)In 2001, Underwood tried to kill himself by running into traffic twice on a busy suburban highway, according to a news report. He was eventually released by the Cowboys for failing to show up to several practices. less

6. Dimitrius Underwood (2000-2001)In 2001, Underwood tried to kill himself by running into traffic twice on a busy suburban highway, according to a news report. He was eventually released by the Cowboys for ... more

Photo: WILLIAM LUTHER, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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7. Dwayne Goodrich (2000-2002)

Goodrich was involved in a hit and run accident that killed two people in 2003. In 2003, he was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and fined $20,000. He was convicted on two counts of criminally negligent homicide.

8. Sam Hurd (2006-2010)An undrafted wide receiver who turned into the Cowboys special teams Captain, Hurd was arrested in Chicago in 2011 for allegedly attempting to purchase and distribute large quantities of cocaine and marijuana. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2013. less

8. Sam Hurd (2006-2010)An undrafted wide receiver who turned into the Cowboys special teams Captain, Hurd was arrested in Chicago in 2011 for allegedly attempting to purchase and distribute large quantities of ... more

Photo: Associated Press / File Photo

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9. Adam Jones (2008)Trouble seems to follow "Pac-Man" wherever he goes. Jones became involved in an altercation with his bodyguard in a Dallas hotel in 2008, though nobody was charged with anything in connection with the fight. He was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Jones entered an alcohol rehab center shortly after. The Cowboys released Jones after officials learned that he was a suspect in a June 2007 shooting outside a strip club in Atlanta. less

10. Terrell Owens (2006-2008)A police report filed in Sept. 2006 seemed to confirm that Owens had tried to kill himself by intentionally ingesting an overdose of hydrocodone, a pain medication. The Dallas Police Department reported the incident to be an "accidental overdose" and ended their investigation. Later in the year Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall claimed Owens spit in his face during an on-field altercation. Owens was fined $35,000. less

10. Terrell Owens (2006-2008)A police report filed in Sept. 2006 seemed to confirm that Owens had tried to kill himself by intentionally ingesting an overdose of hydrocodone, a pain medication. The Dallas ... more

Photo: EDWARD A. ORNELAS, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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11. Josh Brent (2010-14)Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter for a 2012 drunken driving crash that killed his teammate, Jerry Brown Jr., and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years probation. Brent returned to the Cowboys but retired in May 2015. less

11. Josh Brent (2010-14)Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter for a 2012 drunken driving crash that killed his teammate, Jerry Brown Jr., and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 10 years probation. ... more

Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast /Associated Press

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12. Joseph Randle (2013-15)In October 2014, Randle was arrested for stealing men's underwear and cologne at Dillard's department store in Frisco, Texas. In Feb. 2015, Randle was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana. Officers showed up at his Wichita hotel after receiving a call for domestic violence with a weapon. They found Randle and a woman at the hotel and observed marijuana in the room. In April of 2015, the Wichita city attorney's office announced that Randle would not face any charges, due to a lack of evidence. On November 24, 2015, Randle was arrested at the Mulvane Kansas Star Casino. Allegedly, he was drunk and was asked to leave. While being escorted out, he spit on the floor and assaulted the casino security guards. less

12. Joseph Randle (2013-15)In October 2014, Randle was arrested for stealing men's underwear and cologne at Dillard's department store in Frisco, Texas. In Feb. 2015, Randle was arrested for unlawful possession ... more

Photo: Brandon Wade, Associated Press

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13. Greg Hardy (2015)The Cowboys signed Greg Hardy despite the fact that he was convicted of assault in a bench trial. The charges were dismissed on appeal and expunged, but Hardy carried many red flags in with him. During his first season in Dallas Hardy: directed sexist comments towards Tom Brady's wife and her sister; blew up on the sidelines and shoved special teams coach Rich Bisaccia; and, engaged in a heated exchange with wide receiver Dez Bryant. less

13. Greg Hardy (2015)
The Cowboys signed Greg Hardy despite the fact that he was convicted of assault in a bench trial. The charges were dismissed on appeal and expunged, but Hardy carried many red flags in with ... more

Photo: Brandon Wade /Associated Press

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NFL moving quickly to reverse halt on Elliott's 6-game ban

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"Just relieved from the fact that I finally get a fair trial," Elliott said after the game in his first public comments since before the Cowboys reported for training camp in July. "I finally get a chance to prove my innocence. And I'm just happy I'm able to be with these guys for as long as it's permitted and just not having to miss time and not being away from them."

The 22-year-old Elliott was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell last month, and attorneys with the NFL Players' Association contended in a lawsuit that Elliott didn't get a fair hearing in an appeal that was denied.

Elliott had already been cleared to play in the season opener when U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant granted a temporary restraining order and injunction blocking the suspension Friday.

The case could play out for months.

New England quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension over "Deflategate" was delayed by a year when a federal judge ruled in his favor. Brady served the suspension to start last season after an appeals court reversed the ruling and backed Goodell's authority to suspend him.

If Mazzant denies the emergency request to put his own ruling on hold pending further hearings, the NFL could make a similar argument to the appeals court in hopes of getting a hearing within days after Mazzant decides.

Without an NFL win on an emergency request in either court, the timeline likely would clear Elliott to play his entire second season after he led the league in rushing as a rookie.

The case apparently will stay in the Texas court for at least a week after Mazzant gave Elliott's side until Wednesday to respond to the NFL's request for a stay. The NFL would then have until Friday to respond to arguments from Elliott's legal team before Mazzant rules on the motion, presumably next week.

"It may be difficult for the NFL to convince the 5th Circuit that this is truly an emergency," said Gabe Feldman, director of the sports law program at Tulane University Law School. "The argument here is that the NFL could later enforce the suspension."

Elliott was suspended by Goodell in August after the league concluded he had several physical confrontations last summer with Tiffany Thompson, a former girlfriend. Prosecutors in Columbus, Ohio, decided about a year ago not to pursue the case in the city where Elliott starred for Ohio State, citing conflicting evidence.

The NFL kept its investigation open, and said its conclusions were based on photographs, text messages and other electronic evidence. The league has argued that it acted within the parameters of a labor agreement that gives Goodell broad authority to suspend players. The league also said the appeal process was consistent with its personal conduct policy.

"As far as the argument to the court of appeals, we think the scope and review in labor arbitration is very limited and we believe the judge went well beyond what is permitted as far as scope," NFL vice president of communications Joe Lockhart said.

Mazzant's ruling took aim at appeal hearing officer Harold Henderson and the NFL, saying decisions not to allow Goodell and Thompson to testify at the appeal were among several factors unfair to Elliott. The running back denied the allegations under oath during the appeal.

The judge also faulted the league for what he saw as several efforts to conceal the opinion of co-lead investigator Kia Roberts. She testified at the appeal that she didn't think Thompson was credible and didn't support any punishment for Elliott.

Three years ago, the NFL stiffened penalties in domestic violence cases after getting sharply criticized for its handling of former Baltimore running back Ray Rice.

Elliott had 1,631 yards rushing last season, helping Dallas to the best record in the NFC at 13-3. He had another 36 yards receiving in the opener against the Giants as the Cowboys beat the NFC East rival that swept them last season.